Cardiff scientist elected to lead global gravitational-wave collaboration
19 May 2025
A Cardiff University scientist has been elected Spokesperson for the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC).
Professor Stephen Fairhurst was elected by members of the international collaboration, which drives the scientific mission of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) to explore the fundamental nature of gravity and use gravitational waves as a tool for astronomical discovery.
His appointment marks the first time a Spokesperson has been elected from a non-US institution since the LSC's formation in 1997, over which time it has grown to comprise of over 1,600 scientists and engineers from more than 145 institutions across 18 countries.
He will serve a two-year term, having assumed duties in April.
Professor Stephen Fairhurst said: “It’s a privilege to be elected Spokesperson for the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, which has been instrumental in establishing the field of gravitational-wave physics and astronomy.”
I look forward to working with the excellent scientists and engineers in the collaboration to ensure that we continue to operate and improve the LIGO detectors and, with our Virgo and KAGRA colleagues, unveil new observations that enhance our understanding of black holes and gravitational waves.
Gravity Exploration Institute
Professor Fairhurst has been a member of the LSC for the past twenty years and has made major contributions to searches for gravitational-wave signals emitted by merging black holes and neutron stars, using the observed signals to understand the properties of the sources.
Professor Fairhurst added: “It’s an exciting time to take up the role of Spokesperson for the LSC. Over the summer, the collaboration will present results from our latest observing run that will double the number of gravitational wave observations.”
In September, we’ll mark 10 years since the first gravitational waves observation, GW150914. This milestone offers a great opportunity to showcase our advances in understanding gravitational waves, black holes and neutron stars to both the scientific community and the public.
Between 2019 and 2024, Professor Fairhurst led the Gravity Exploration Institute (GEI) at Cardiff University – one of the largest and most diverse gravitational-wave research groups in the world.
The GEI makes leading contributions to both instrumental design and gravitational-wave observations and recently celebrated 50 years of gravitational physics research at Cardiff.
Professor Haley Gomez, Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy at Cardiff University, said: “I'm delighted Steve has been elected Spokesperson for the LIGO Scientific Collaboration.”
This election is testament to the high level of respect he commands within the gravitational-wave community and recognition of his many years of leadership in the LSC, where he has pioneered key scientific methods and results, and contributed significantly to building the Collaboration. On behalf of us all at Cardiff, congratulations Steve!
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LIGO scientists detect gravitational wave signal from the merging of two black holes.
